Becoming Jane (2007)
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AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Although Becoming Jane is a well-crafted period piece, it lacks fresh insight into the life and works of Jane Austen. The film focuses too much on wardrobe and not enough on Austen's achievements.
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Cast
as Jane Austen
as Tom Lefroy
as Mrs. Austen
as Rev. Austen
as Lady Gresham
as Henry Austen
as Eliza De Feuillide
as Mr. Wisley
as Judge Langlois
as Cassandra Austen
as John Warren
as Mrs. Lefroy
as Lucy Lefroy
as Mr. Lefroy
as Robert Fowle
as Jenny
as Coachman
as Second Coachman
as George Austen
as Mrs. Radcliffe
as Admirer
as Caroline
as jane Lefroy
as Mr. Curtis
as Michael Patric
as Wine Whore
as Miscreant
as Soprano
as Black Bob
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Critic Reviews for Becoming Jane
All Critics (139) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (79) | Rotten (60) | DVD (9)
"The reality of love's disappointments enriches the film's heroine, who never married in real life, and brings a 200-year-old figure into living focus."
Not only is that a huge stretch of the facts, it makes for a dull and overly familiar melodrama.
Hathaway never makes us think the woman could write anything more complex than a diet book.
This never rises above a date movie, but it's functionally literate (the lovers have some pleasant banter about the realistic merits of Tom Jones) and features a fine supporting turn from Ian Richardson.
Becoming Jane becomes a rather ordinary, though sporadically entertaining, game of dress-up.
Austen comes off here more as stenographer than writer.
Audience Reviews for Becoming Jane
For the most part it feels like I've seen this movie before, but I suppose there are only so many ways you can expect a romance with period-themes to unfold. Not saying the script lacks sophistication but you'd also expect more verbally exhausting dialogue in a movie that pays homage to Austen. Pleasantly enough it doesn't overwrite us with conceit but at the same time fans of her novels might be disappointed. Most of the highlights are the subtle humor and watching McAvoy verbally duel things out with Hathaway; unfortunately both of these aspects die out of the film half way through. In the end it does the job without becoming an annoying blatant analysis of her literature but barely holds the viewers attention long enough to care for her somewhat generic "life experiences". If this weren't fiction it makes you wonder why there aren't more legendary authors running about.
Super Reviewer
By no means am I a fan of Jane Austin's work, but I ended up really enjoying this and was surprised at how original its idea is. This doesn't spend the majority of its running time using inside jokes about Austin's work or make it about her work at all. This focuses on the life of Jane Austin and her inspiration. Unsurprisingly, it's Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy that are the main attractions with their great performances. If you are a fan of either, it's enough to watch the movie. However, I really got pulled into the story and excellent blend of the "period piece" genre that made it seem genuine and not cheesy.
Super Reviewer
A great movie but I wish that Jane & Tom would've ended up in the end. But great movie! :)
Super Reviewer
Becoming Jane Quotes
| Jane Austen: | Could I really have this? |
| Tom Lefroy: | What, precisely? |
| Jane Austen: | You. |
| Tom Lefroy: | What value will there be in life if we are not together? Run away with me |
| Tom Lefroy: | What value will there be in life if we are not together? Run away with me. |
| Jane Austen: | An elopement? |
| Tom Lefroy: | That is exactly what I propose |
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